Gutters are a key part of your home, helping keep water from getting inside. Over time, gutters can get clogged with debris and become damaged by the weather. It’s important to keep your gutters in good condition because clogged gutters could cause water damage to the exterior of your home and hamper the health of your landscape plants. Thankfully, many different materials used for gutters help you determine what will work best for your situation. If you need gutter replacement, this blog post gives tips for choosing the right gutter material.
1. Pick a Gutter Style That Complements Your House
The first thing you need to consider when choosing a gutter material for your gutter replacement is whether it will match the style of your home. If you have a traditional ranch-style home, you might want to get aluminium gutters to complement its classic look. If you have a modern contemporary house with plenty of glass and steel accents, you might want something more modern, like metal gutters or even plastic ones, if they fit your budget.
2. Ask Your Builder or Contractor for a Recommendation
Gutters are often included in new construction projects in the overall building design. If this is true for your home, your builder probably has experience with both types of materials and should be able to tell you which is best for your situation. If your gutters were installed long before you bought the house, they were likely made from aluminium or vinyl. As long as they haven’t been damaged by weather or age, these materials can last for decades if properly maintained.
3. There Are Safety and Installation Concerns To Consider
Safety must be one of your top priorities if you have small children or pets. Plastic gutters are not designed for safety, so they may not be the best option for your home. Metal gutters can be dangerous because they can rust and break over time, which can cause serious injuries. Fiberglass has a high risk of injury because it is brittle and can break easily. Wood is also dangerous because it is prone to rotting, splitting and cracking over time. You should also consider how much it will cost to install your new gutters. The cost of installation varies based on the type of material used for your new gutters and how long it takes to complete the job.
4. How Dark Will the Colour of the Gutters Turn?
Aluminium and steel gutters will start to turn grey after several years of exposure to the elements. They tend to discolour faster than other gutters due to their higher iron content. This means that homeowners should consider painting their aluminium or steel gutters every two years to maintain their original look longer. Vinyl and PVC gutters come in a variety of colours as well as shades of white, which means they are easier to match with your home’s exterior colour scheme and won’t need repainting as often as other materials.
5. Go for the Most Durable and Waterproof
When choosing a type of gutter material, durability must be at the top of your list. If a type of gutter isn’t very durable, it won’t stand up well to years of weathering and may start leaking sooner rather than later. You don’t want that happening when trying to enjoy your beautiful new gutters! Look for gutters made from durable materials like steel or brass that will last longer than other types of metal or plastic.
6. They Must Be Easily Maintained
Gutters collect dirt and debris from rainwater runoff, so they should be easy to clean after each storm. You’ll want to look for gutters that have removable screens that can be cleaned easily with a garden hose or pressure washer; this will save you precious time in the long run by allowing you to clean out your gutters regularly instead of waiting for them to become clogged before doing any maintenance at all!
7. Look for Gutters With a Lifetime Warranty
One of the very best ways to ensure that your gutters will last you for years is by looking for products with a lifetime warranty. If a company is willing to stand by its product and guarantee it will last, they likely have confidence in its product’s quality. This can be especially important if you’re planning on selling your home in the future. If your home is ever listed, new buyers will want to know that they won’t have to worry about replacing damaged gutters soon after moving in.
Conclusion
If you plan on installing new gutters or considering gutter replacement of the old ones, choosing the right materials for your project is a good idea. The materials you choose will depend on many factors, but quality and cost are the two biggest considerations. You can have vinyl, aluminium, copper, or even plastic gutters. The best material will depend on several factors, including durability, ease of installation and colour. Hopefully, this blog post will help you make an informed and intelligent decision about the best gutter material for you.
